Fireman&#39;s water-screen apparatus



Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,622

S. C. SLADDEN FIREMAN'S WATER SCREEN APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1924 TINVENTOR BY m Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE.

SIDNEY C. SLADDEN, OF FREEPORT, NEW YORK.

FIREMANS WATER-SCREEN APPARATUS.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are:To form a sheet of water between a fire and fire fighters to prevent thepassage of heat there through; to produce a sheet of flowing liquidbetween a fire and firemen for absorbing the heat rays emitted by thefire; to form a continuously flowing sheet of heat absorbing liquidbetween a fire and the fighters thereof; to provide means for deliveringwater or fire-reducing liquid from a position above the fire, the liquldbe ng delivered in an approximately horizontal sheet; to deliverfire-reducing liquid between adjacent walls not accessible to firefighters or for the implements at present employed; and to produce thescreen hereln disclosed in the most efficient or heat absorbingcondition.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus constructed and arranged inaccordance with the present invention, the same being shown as attachedin service to a firemans hose nozzle of usual construction, the nozzleand a portion of the apparatus being shown in Description.

As seen in the drawings, the herein disclosed apparatus is adapted to beoperat1ve ly connected with a firemans hose nozzle of usual constructionand indicated in the drawing by the numeral 9. To this end an externallythreaded collar is mounted on the nozzle 9, the threads of the collarbeing adapted to engage the internal threads on a coupling 11. Thecoupling 11 is rotatively connected with the water screen apparatus andwith the neck 12 thereof. The neck 12 rotates within the collar 11 andfor this purpose has mounted at the inner end thereof a bearing ring 13which forms a race for bearing balls 14. It will be noted that thecomplete races for the balls 14 are formed by the ring 18 and a washer17 held against an inturned flange 15 on the collar 11.

It will be noted that the pressure exerted by the column of water in thescreen apparatus forces the ring 13 upon the balls 14, and the balls 14upon the washer 17 seated against the flange 15 of the coupling 11. Anyfrictional drag on the screen apparatus is thereby avoided except as inso far as the balls 14 produce.

The flanges 15 and 16 as seen best in Figure 1 of the drawings operateto maintain the relative position of the screen apparatus and the nozzle9 and parts associated. therewith.

Two elements in the apparatus cooperate to rotate the same on its axis.Within the neck of the apparatus are formed internally extended inclinedvanes 18. The vanes 18 are inclined to the travelling column of water soas to produce a rotation of the apparatus in the direction indicated bythe arrow A, in Figure 1, or contra-clockwise. The rotary impulseimparted by the vanes 18 is augmented by the laterally opening passages19 formed in the head 20 of the apparatus. The borings of the passages19 are somewhat tangential so that water being delivered from the head20 is delivered at an inclination to the radii of the head 20. Thestreams of water thus delivered press upon the air with the result thatthe head 20 rotates upon its axis.

As seen best in Figure 2 of the drawings, the head 20 is provided withan inverted cone 21, the side of which is curved to form a deflectingsurface leading to the various passages 19. The cone 21 is preferablyconstructed of solid metal, as seen in Figure 2, the weight of whichisutilized to steady the rotary action of the head. It will be understood,however, that should it be desired, Elie cone may have a hollow centeror cham- With an apparatus constructed and arranged as described, itwill be seen that if water under pressure is delivered through thenozzle 9 into the apparatus, it will press primarily upon the vanes 18and upon the inclined surface thereof to impart a side pressure thereonwhich is translated into rotation of the apparatus. The water passingthrough the neck 12 is deflected by the cone 21 to the passages 19through which the water escapes to the outer air in a number of fitseparated streams, each leaving the cone at a slightly tangentialdirection or direction slightly inclined from the radii of the head 20.The forces thus exerted result in the rapid rotation of the head 20,.which action has an effect on the streams delivered from the passages 19to seemingly bend the same backward from the direction of the rotationof the head, an action which results in the more positive mixing Orthesprayed columns of water delivered by the passages 19.

It will be noted that in Figure 2 ot the drawings the passages 19 arealso inclined for delivery of the water slightly toward what may betermed the direction in which the nozzle 9 is pointed. This results inde livering the screen forward from the head and from the firemen oroperators who are in attendance upon the apparatus and the nozzle 9connected therewith.

It is obvious that when in operation the spray of various streamsdelivered from the head 20, mingle to form a substantial sheet of waterradiating from the head 20. Heat rays delivered thereon are absorbedthereby.

The water continuously moving outward results in carrying oii in a waythe heat thus absorbed. In other words, the direct result of theoperation is to form a screen through which the heat of the fire doesnot penetrate so that firemen locating behind the screen can approach incloser proximity to the heated area than before.

In Figures 3 and i of the drawings is shown a supporting table 22 uponwhich the nozzle 9 may be held by clamps 23, or other suitable devices.Locking latches 24 may be employed to hold the clamps 23 in service. Thetable 22 is preferably provided with legs 25. These are held in serviceposition by the braces 26. T11 Figures 3 and a, the nozzle 9 is shown asconnected to a hose pipe 527 of suitable construction.

It will be understood that while I have described the action of theapparatus as forming a water screen, it may be used in various otherways such as, by inserting the nozzle equipped with the apparatusthrough a hole in any floor or a building when the water may bedelivered in a horizontal sheet to all parts of the lower apartment andin a livering nozzle.

Wide spread manner, and therefore more ei -iective manner, than whendelivered by means of a single stream. This is peculiarly advantageousin fighting a fire in a cellar. Further, the nozzle may be extendedthrough an opening in a side wall and the spray be effective on saidside wall, not otherwise accessible. This use is of advantage where afire is inside the walls of a partition as the water would be deliveredabove and below inside the partition walls. It will also be observedthat firemen might utilize the apparatus as a heat or smoke screen forprotecting firemen from the heat and smoke of an overhead structure. Thestreams of water have the effect upon smoke ot creating a draft whichcarries the smoke in lines parallel with the streams emitted from thepassages 19 and thereby creates a clear and smokeless space bacl: of thescreen.

While I have herein disclosed the apparatus as having, a pointed cone 21by means of which the total output oi water passing through the head 20is delivered throu h the passageways 18, it will be understood. 1 mayhave a central opening through the cone 2]. which delivers a streamdirectly in front oi the said head, thereby operating in the twofoldcapacity of a screen, and a stream de- I prefer, however, the use of theapparatus for forming a screen behind which firemen are at liberty towork lelivering through the screen, other streams of water for firefighting purposes.

In a nozzle, a distributer head having a neck integral therewith andarranged ror connection to a source of water supply, inclined vanesdisposed in said neck for imparting rotation to said neck and head onpassage of water therethrough, an inwardly extending central conoidaldeflector carried by the end of said head and extending into said neck,said head having a plurality of delivery openings annularly arrangedabout and flush with the base or said deflector to deliver water streamssubstantially at right angles to the stream passed through said neck.

SIDNEY C. SLADDEN.

